Rachel McAdams Shines in a Sam Raimi Adventure

Rachel McAdams takes the lead in a new Sam Raimi movie. She plays Linda, a woman who knows her stuff about surviving in the wild. She's stranded on an island with her boss, Bradley, played by Bradley O'Brien. He's not used to taking orders from her, but she's got skills. Linda is a big fan of the show Survivor. She knows how to find water, food, and build shelter. She's prepared and ready to take charge. Bradley, on the other hand, is more used to giving orders. He treats Linda like an underling, giving her silly tasks like building a bigger fire. As they spend more time together, tensions rise. They have different ideas about how to handle their situation. The movie keeps you guessing about who to root for. Linda is the more sympathetic character, but the movie doesn't make it that simple.Early on, Linda is shown as awkward and even has a crush on her younger boss. When Bradley accuses her of playing homemaker, it's clear he's being condescending. The movie acknowledges this, but it also hints that Linda might enjoy serving as a combination of coworker and domestic partner. The movie doesn't shy away from showing men behaving badly. But it also focuses on the transgressions of women. It's a reminder that Raimi's view of womanhood might be limited. Despite this, the movie is fun and gives McAdams a chance to shine. McAdams and O'Brien both give interesting performances. They find a range of emotions, from hurt to anger. Linda becomes a complicated character, which is a step up from Raimi's previous work. Send Help isn't as polished as some of Raimi's other movies. It's not as wild as his earlier work, but it shows a shift in his style. He's blending his comic-book throwbacks with contemporary obstacles. It's messy, but in a good way.